Bayern are unbeaten in their last 37 group games in the Champions League, which is a competition record. Should the Bundesliga champions extend that run at home to Galatasaray on Wednesday, they will have secured a place in the knockout stage – with two games to spare – for the 16th time in a row. Looking at Bayern’s form in the competition, the chances of that happening are good. Here’s the stats and facts ahead of hosting Galatasaray.
Bayern’s incredible group record
Bayern extended their winning run in the Champions League group stage with their 3-1 victory in Istanbul.
You have to go back to December 2020 and a 1-1 draw away at Atletico Madrid – with a heavily rotated side – for the last time Bayern failed to win a group game in the Champions League. It’s been 16 straight victories since, which is a record in Europe’s top club competition. And you need to go back even further, more than six years ago, to a 3-0 loss away at Paris Saint-Germain for the last time Bayern lost at this stage – as mentioned before, also a record run – or failed to score in a group fixture. FCB have netted 116 goals since then at an average of 3.1 per game. Since the current format for the Champions League was introduced in 2003/04, and with only three games left until it changes again for next season, Bayern have registered more wins (86) and boast the best win rate (73.5%) of all teams in the group stage.
Good experiences with Turkish opponents
Bayern’s only previous encounter with Galatasaray in Munich came in the first round of the 1972/73 European Cup, with the Bavarians running out 6-0 winners. It remains the club’s joint-biggest European victory. Bayern have also won each of their last six European Cup/Champions League fixtures against Turkish teams, by an aggregate score of 21-2. The record in Munich is three games, three wins, 13 goals scored, none conceded.
Leroy delivering
Leroy Sane provided the assist to Kingsley Coman for the opening goal in Istanbul on Matchday 3.
Leroy Sane set up Kingsley Coman to make it 1-0 in the 3-1 win in Istanbul on Matchday 3 to continue his remarkable recent run in the Champions League. The German forward has contributed 11 goals and eight assists in his last 19 starts in the competition.
Galatasaray’s drought ended
Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory at Manchester United on Matchday 2 ended their run of 17 consecutive away games in the Champions League without a win (D3, L14).
Find out how the Turkish champions got on at the weekend:
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